Wagon-stake



P. W. STARR.

WAGON STAKE.

(No Model.)

Patented Sept. 4

- INVENTQR. W 5% BY I x I Arroliwsr Miran STATES ATENT @rriea FREDERICK \V. STARR, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

WAGON-STAKE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 388,928, dated September 4, 1828.

Application filed June 4,1893. Serial No 273,913. (No model.)

To a whom may concern:

Be it known that l, FREDERICK W. STARR, a citizen of the United States. and a resident of Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in \Vagons, of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates to improvements in wagons, and particularly to the rungs,which on such wagons as those used for carrying lumber are set into sockets provided in each end of the bolsters. Herctofore these rungs have each consisted of a single piece of wood with a tenon at its lower end to enter the socket in the end of the bolster, and the rungs have been removable, in order that the load on the wagon-bed might be readily removed. In the case of lumber-wagons the rungs, particularly those on the rear bolster, have been removed in order that the rear end of the boards might be lifted upon the wagon-wheel, and the latter used as a fulcrum on which to fulcrum the boards over the side ofthe wagon. The rungs thus removed have frequently been lost, broken, or left upon the ground through the forgetfulness of the driver, and great loss has thus ensued, particularly to persons or firms employing a large number of wagons. To correct these evils without necessitating a change in the method of unloading the lumber is the object of the present invention, and in carrying the invention into effect I construct the rung in two sections hinged together, and secure the lower section rigidly to the bolster, a spring-catch being provided whereby the upper section may be held vertically upon the top of the lower section or permitted to fold downward against the side of same at will. The lower section of the rung extends upward to a point about on a level with the top of the wagoirwheel, at which point the upper section is hinged to the lowersection. W'hile unloading the wagon the upper section Will remain folded down against the lower section, where it will be below the upper edge of the wheel, and thus not form an obstruction during the act of unloading or interfere with the wheel being used as afulcruni for the lumber, according to the present methods of removing the board from lumber-wagons.

The invention will be more fully understood from the detailed description hereinafter presented, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is an end view of a wagon-bolster with a rung embodying my invention, shown in its upright position by full lines and in its folded position by dotted lines, and with a portion of the wheel situated at the opposite end of the bolster. Fig. 2 is a view of the front face of the rung and a portion of the bolster, and Fig. 8 is a view of the rear face of same.

In the drawings, A designates the bolster, and B the rung, which is composed of thelower and upper sections, (lettered, respectively, 0 1),) the former being rigidly secured to the bolster by the angle-plate E, which is on the inner face of the rung and has its vertical arm extended upward to a point a short distance below the upper end of the section G,the upper end of this section being shown by dotted lines in Fig. 1. The upper section, D, of the rung is inclosed between the metal plates G H, which have forwardly-extending ears I I at their lower ends, and these cars, with the strap J and bolt L, constitute a hinge connecting the two sections, and which permits the folding down of the upper section, when desired, to the position indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 1.. The strap J is bolted to the lower section, 0, and its upper end is between the ears I I, through which and the strap the bolt L passes. The lower ends of the plates G H are below the lower end of the section D, (which end of the section is shown by dotted lines in Fig. 1,) and when said section is in a vertical position said ends of the plates rest firmly upon the lower section, 0, one of the plates coming directly on top of the vertical arm of the angleplate E and the other plate upon the shoulder a, formed on the section G. Upon the face of the section 0 opposite to the strap J is secured the plate M, having a lug, N, at its upper end, and upon the section D is bolted the heavy spring-plate I, having the pocket Q at its lower end adapted to spring upon the lug N when the section D is turned upward to its vertical position. The spring P and lug N will effectually secure the section D in vertical position, and will permit said section to be folded down, when desired, by

firm pressure applied to the upper rear face of the section.

The rung in all its parts is constructed with a view of insuring strength, rigidity, and firmness. It cannot be detached from the bolster by the driver of the wagon, and since it is capable of folding it will not interfere with the present method, while unloading, of using the wheel as a fulcrum for the lumber. The plates G H, passing downward below the upper end of the section 0, prevent said end from being broken by any lateral strain or pressure, while the strap J and plate L insure said end from breakage by reason of any force applied to the rung in line with the length of the wagon. The upper end of the lower section, 0, terminates about on a line with the upa per edge of the wheel and of the upper edge of the strap J and plate L, and, being thus arranged and protected, may, if desired, be

made use of as a fulcrum for the lumber to be unloaded. If it is so made use of, the driver will have a shorter distance to lift the lumber and the unloading will be expedited.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to 25 secure by Letters Patent, is

1. For wagons, the rung rigidly secured to the bolster and composed of two sections hinged together at one side of the rung and at the other side thereof provided with a spring-catch, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

2. For wagons, the rung secured to the bolster by the angle-plate E and composed of sections 0 D, hinged together, the lower section carrying the strap J and plate M on opposite faces, and the upper section carrying plates G H and spring-plate P, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

Signed at New York, in the county of New York and State of New York, this 1st day of June, A. D. 1888.

FREDERICK W. STAR R.

WVitnesses:

CHAS. O. GILL, \V. A. O. MATCH-1m. 

